Joe Theodore: His patriotic spark is never dim

DARTMOUTH — There is no wavering when it comes to Joseph Theodore Jr.'s love for America and the stars and stripes.

Curt Brown

DARTMOUTH — There is no wavering when it comes to Joseph Theodore Jr.'s love for America and the stars and stripes.

"I have worked very hard in my life for my country and our flag," said the 90-year-old South Dartmouth man, a World War II veteran.

He served in the Army, was stationed in France and returned home to continue to serve his community and nation, leading an effort to fly the flag at night. Then he championed the raising of the flag atop the Old Glory Tower in New Bedford.

For his unflinching love of country and the symbol of its freedom, Mr. Theodore has been selected as The Standard-Times' 2007 Dartmouth Man of the Year.

Nominations for the award came from the community and members of the newspaper staff. Recipients were selected by a newsroom committee.

The Man of the Year Award is the latest in a long list of distinguished awards and citations Mr. Theodore has received, including the Veteran of the Year Award from the Veterans' Transitional House and a special award from the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 499.

Like so many veterans who have proven their courage in battle, he has no use for wars as a way to solve nations' problems.

"I don't believe war is good for anyone," he said. "It's not good for the country. It's not good for the soldiers. It's not good for their families.

"My whole life is about world peace," he said.

Mr. Theodore said 2008 will be the 40th anniversary of the Light for Peace, and he would like to see what he started at New Bedford City Hall spread across the country and the world.

"I want to present my country a patriotic gift with Lights of Peace," he said. "I feel I want to do something really meaningful. The flag belongs to 300 million people."

"It would be great" if every community had an Old Glory Tower, he said. "We have to do something to love one another. I'm tired of wars to end all wars."

Mr. Theodore, a sweet, kind man, is easy to like, and there is no shortage of people to sing his praises.

"There isn't enough room in The Standard-Times to talk about Joe Theodore," said Dan LeBlanc, director of veterans' services in New Bedford, extolling his friend's virtues.

"He has done tremendous things to promote the flag not only in the area but also in the area," he said.

The first elementary school to fly the U.S. flag and the first community to fly Old Glory at night were in New Bedford, and Mr. Theodore was responsible for each of them, Mr. LeBlanc said.

"He lives and dies by the flag," he said. "He's a true American veteran."

Normand "Red" Perry, a Vietnam veteran, said Mr. Theodore has boundless energy, despite his 90 years.

"He's always there to help veterans," he said. "He's like the Energizer bunny. He's a nice man personally. He's a good spirit-lifter."

Robert Miller, a former member of the Dartmouth Select Board, remembers the night a few years ago when the board honored several veterans, including Mr. Theodore.

"He's a town treasure," Mr. Miller said. "He's an inspiration to others. There are not that many people who understand the sacrifices of veterans.